Tape winder



July 1962 T. B. KEESLING 3,045,941

TAPE WINDER Filed June 12, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 s1 INVENTOR. f/GLZ THOMAS B. KEESL/NG A; A TTO/PNEYS July 24, 1962 KEESLING 3,045,941

TAPE WINDER Filed June 12, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. THOMAS B KEESL/NG zeam m r TO/PNEYS United fitates aterrt fine 3,045,941 TAPE WINDER Thomas B. Keesling, Los Gatos, Calif, assignor to Cycle Equipment Company Filed June 12, 1957, Ser. No. 665,197 9 Claims. (Cl. 24271.8)

This invention relates to apparatus for winding tape in general. More particularly, this invention relates to apparatus for winding tape having various control features for controlling the tape winding operation.

This application is a continuation in part of my application Serial No. 431,466, filed May 21, 1954, for Tape Winder.

An object of this invention is to provide an improved tape winder of unitary construction such that the winder is efficient in operation.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved tape winder having a tape accumulating reel that is connected to be driven through a positively engaging clutch.

Still another object of this invention is to provide an improved tape winder in which the tape accumulating reel is adapted to be driven through a positive clutch mechanism that may be disengaged by depressing the arm that is also responsive to the tension of the tape being wound to control the circuit to the electric motor driving the reel.

A further object of this invention is to Provide an improved tape winder with a tape accumulating reel that is adapted to be disassembled so that the accumulated tape may be removed without removing the entire reel.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a tape Winder of improved construction in which all of the working parts thereof are mounted on a single frame member to facilitate economical manufacture.

Still a further object of this invention is to provide an improved tape winder in which the operation thereof may be either automatically or manually controlled in accordance with the operation of a tape tension sensitive arm.

Other and further objects of this invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which it relates from the following specification, claims and drawing.

In accordance with this invention there is provided an improved tape winder of simple and efficient construction that employs a small motor for driving a tape accumulating reel through suitable reduction gear train and in which all of the working parts are assembled upon a single frame member of relatively rugged construction so as to be useful over long periods of time without the necessity of extensive and continuous servicing. Furthermore, this invention is provided with an operating arm that is sensitive to the tension of the tape being wound so that this arm is adapted to control the electrical switch of the motor to maintain or interrupt the circuit to the motor in accordance with the tension of the tape. This arm is also provided with a cam actuating mechanism that is arranged to declutch the positively engaging clutch of the tape collecting reel when said arm is depressed into a latched position whereupon the tape collecting reel is free to rotate on the shaft thereof so that tape may be unwound from said reel for inspection without interrupting the apparatus feeding the tape to the tape winder.

The foregoing and other features of this invention will be set forth more fully in the following specification, claims and drawing in which briefly:

FIGURE 1 is a view in end elevation of an embodiment of this invention;

FIGURE 2 is a side view partially in section of the apparatus shown in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 5 is a detail view taken along the line 55 of FIGURE 2 of the toggle switch and operating cam employed to control the motor circuit; and

FIGURE 6 is another detail view of the switch.

Referring to the drawing in detail, there is shown in FIGURE 1 an end elevation view of this apparatus illustrating the reel assembly 10 mounted on the shaft 11 that is supported by a suitable bearing in the end frame member 12 as shown in the side view, FIGURE 2. The reel assembly 14) comprises plate members 13 and 14 that are provided with suitable hub members 15 and 16, respectively, both of which are frictionally engaged by the coil spring 17 that functions to hold the reel assembly together. The screw 18, which is threaded into the outer end of the shaft 11, may be removed and the reel 10 slipped off of the shaft 11. This construction is shown in enlarged detail in the fragmentary sectional view, FIGURE 4. The reel member 3.3 is held fixedly attached to the hub member 15 by small crimped sections 15a that are integral with the hub member and are pressed against the reel member adjacent to the central hole thereof. The hub member 16 is held on to the reel member 14 by small projections 16a that are crimped against the collar 19, which is thereby pressed against the cenral surface of the reel member 14 and presses this reel member against the shoulder 16b of the hub member. The collar member 19 is provided with a plurality of projections 20 around the peripheral portion thereof and these projections extend laterally from this collar to engage similar projections Zla on a washer 21. This washer Z1 is fixedly attached to the flange member 22 and this unit is slidably supported on the hexagonal portion of the shaft 11 to be rotatable therewith. A washer 23 that is lodged in a groove formed in the shaft 11 is employed to retain the washer 21 and flange member 22 on the shaft.

The hub member 16 is provided with a portion of reduced diameter that fits into the hub portion 15 and the head of the screw 18 that holds the hub member 16 assembled on the shaft 11 is of smaller diameter than this reduced hub section so that the hub member 15 may be removed from the hub member 16, together with the end plate 13 of the reel whereby tape that is wound on the pins 13a that are fixedly attached to the reel plate 13, may be removed when said plate and hub member 15 are removed and at the same time, the balance of the reel, namely the plate 14 and its hub member 16 may be left on the winder shaft 11. This removal of the outer reel half, comprising the hub member 15 and the plate 13, is efiected by twisting the hub member 15 in a direction to loosen the coils of the spring 17 and simultaneously pulling the hub member 15 away from the hub member 16. In this way the plate member 13 and a supply of tape wound on the pins 13a thereof may be removed and another plate 13 and hub member 15 assembled into the reel or the tape supply may be remove from the original plate 13 and this plate assembled back into the reel for further winding of tape.

Washers 19 and 21, shown in FIGURE 4, function as a clutch arrangement and when the lateral projections 20 and 21a thereof are interleaved so that these washers are locked together, the reel 10 may be driven by the shaft 11. On the other hand, when the lateral projections 20 and 21a of the washers 19 and 21, respectively, are not interleaved, that is, when the flange member 22, to which the washer 21 is attached, is moved laterally to its position shown in broken outline in FIGURE 4, the reel 10 is free to rotate on the shaft 11. This declutching of the reel 10 is accomplished by means of the pivoted mechanism, shown in FIGURE 3, including the arm 24, that is fixedly attached to the rotatable shaft 25 and to which is attached to finger plate 26 that is provided with a finger 27 which engages an arm 23 of the crank member 29 that is rotatably attached by the screw 30 to the bracket 31 that is attached to the frame member 12 by the screws 32. The crank member 29 is provided with an additional arm '33 that is adapted to engage the inner flange member 34 that is attached by the cylinder member 35 to the outer flange member 22. Thus, when the arm 24 is swung downward on its pivot and the projection 27 is brought up against the arm 28 of the crank 29, the arm 33 of this crank is pressed against the flange 34 and this flange, together with the flange 22 and the washer 21 are moved toward the frame member 12 against the tension of the spring 35a. In its lower position, the arm 24 causes the finger 27 to engage the arm 28 of the crank 29, as described above, and this arm 24 may be held in this lower position by means of the pin 34 that is attached to the arm 24 and which is adapted to engage the spring latch 35b that is attached to the frame member 12 by means of the screws 36.

The shaft 25 on which the arm 24 is supported, extends through the frame member 12 to the inside of the housing. The spring 38 is attached to the outer end of the arm 37 and also to the plate member 39. Accordingly, the arm 24, when rotated to its lower position, must be rotated against the tension of the spring 38 and when the pin 34 is released by the spring latch 35]), the spring '38 functions to rotate the arm 24 to its uppermost position. At this time the projection 24a of this arm engages the resilient stop 40, which is made up of a fibrous tubular member, and which is supported by the bolt 41 on the frame member 12.

The shaft 25 also supports a washer 42, shown in detail in FIGURE 5, on the inner end thereof, and this washer 42 is provided with a notch 42a for the purpose of engaging the actuating arm 43 of a toggle switch which is provided with a small pin 43a that extends into recesses 4311 as shown in FIGURE 6 and engages the spring member 44 in a small hole formed therein near one end thereof. The spring 44 is provided with another small hole at the other end thereof for receiving a small projection 45a formed at the end of the contact supporting resilient member 45 which is adapted to be sprung to or away from the resilient contact bearing member 46 to either close or open the electric circuit of the switch. Thus the arm 24 is arranged to open the contacts of the members 45 and 46 when said arm is lowered and just before the pin 34 thereof is brought into engagement with the spring latch 35b. On the other hand, the switch contacts of the members 45 and 46 are not closed by the spring actuating toggle mechanism described above, until after the arm 24 is swung almost to its upper position shown in FIGURE 3. The purpose of this arrangement will be more fully described hereinafter.

As described previously in connection with the description of FIGURE 4, when the lateral projections 21a of the washer 21 are drawn out of engagement with the lateral projections 20 of the washer 19 the reel mechanism is declutched so that it is free to rotate on the shaft 11; however, when the projections 20 and 21a of the washer 19 and 21 are interleaved, the reel mechanism is clutched to the shaft 11 and rotated therewith. For this purpose, the portion of the shaft 11 on which the flanges 22 and 34 and the cylinder member 35 are supported is given a hexagonal configuration so that these members may be slidable longitudinally on said hexagonal shaft but they cannot be rotated with respect therewith.

The shaft 11 extends through the end plate 12 and into the housing to be connected to the output shaft of the reduction gear train 50 that is supported on the end plate 51 of the motor 52. This end plate is attached to studs, such as the stud 53, that are formed integral with the end plate 12 and strap members such as the member 54 are also attached to these studs and to the other end plate 12a of the housing. From the foregoing it will be observed that the reel is driven at greater reduced speed by the motor 52 through the reduction gear train 50.

The tape 56 to be wound on the reel 10 is placed around the pin members 1311 and over the rod 58 that is attached to the outer end of the arm 24 and from this rod the tape is passed under the rod 60 that is supported on the lower arm at. The arm 61 is attached to the frame member 12 by the bolt 62 T he tape 56 is retained in engagement with the rods 53 and 6%) by means of resilient retainer members 58a and respectively, shown in detail in FIGURE 2. These retainer members are provided with coil spring sections 531') and 6812 which encircle the rods 58 and 60, respectively, and frictionally hold the retainers on these rods. These members are constructed so that they are sufficiently resilient and may be moved away from rods 58 and 69 sufliciently so that the tape may be readily placed on these rods and retained thereon so as to be prevented from accidentally slipping therefrom.

The tape '56 is threaded around the rods 53 and 60 and to the pins 132 as shown in FIGURE 1 and the motor 52 is started so as to rotate the reel unit 10 and wind the tape thereon. If the tension of the tape 56 becomes excessive and moves the arm 24 downward, the mechanism associated with this arm, namely, the notched washer 42, shown in FIGURE 5, functions to actuate the toggle switch to open the motor circuit. When the tape tension decreases, the spring 38 rotates the arm 24 on its shaft 25 so that this arm approaches its uppermost position and at the same time the circuit of the motor 52 is closed through the operation of the toggle switch and the reel 10 is rotated to take up the tape. If it is desired to stop the winder, the arm 24 may be pressed manually downward so that the pin 34 thereof is latched by the resilient latch 35b. At the same time the motor is de energized so that the reel is stopped when the arm 24 is in this position.

While I have shown a preferred embodiment of the invention it will be understood that the invention is capable of variation and modification from the form shown so that its scope should be limited only by the scope of the claims appended hereto.

I claim:

1. A tape winder comprising a frame, a motor mounted on said frame, a shaft driven by said motor journaled in said frame, a reel mounted on said shaft, said reel comprising an outer plate and an inner plate, a hub member attached to said outer plate and a hub member attached to said inner plate and flexible means extending over and engaging the outer surfaces of said hub members to hold said plates and said hub members assembled.

2. A tape winder comprising a frame, a motor mounted on said frame, a shaft driven by said motor journaled in said frame, a reel mounted on said shaft, said reel comprising an outer plate and an inner plate, a hub member attached to said outer plate and a hub member attached to said inner plate and a coil spring frictionally engaging said hub members to hold said plates and said hub members assembled.

3. A tape winder of a type adapted to wind tape that may be intermittently supplied to it from tape using apparatus, said winder also being adapted to produce a wound tape package; the combination comprising a frame, a shaft, means for journaling said shaft in said frame, means for driving said shaft, a reel, said reel comprising an inner disc and an outer detachable disc, hub means for said reel supported by said shaft, said hub means comprising two parts, one of said parts being attached to said outer disc and the other of said parts being attached to said inner disc, coil spring means for frictionally holding said detachable outer disc assembled in said reel, said outer disc having a plurality of rods attached thereto and extending therefrom substantially to said inner disc to form cage-like means around said hub means upon which tape is adapted to be wound, said rods being positioned on said outer disc well away from said hub means, said spring means being substantially concentric With said shaft so that said outer disc may be removed from the remainder of the reel together with said rods and the tape wound thereon by gripping said outer disc and pulling it away from the remainder of the reel substantially in the direction of the axis of said shaft.

4. A tape winder of a type adapted to wind tape that may be intermittently supplied to it from tape using apparatus, said winder also being adapted to produce a wound tape package; the combination comprising a frame, a shaft, means for journaling said shaft in said frame, means for driving said shaft, a reel, said reel comprising an inner disc and an outer detachable disc, hub means for said reel supported by said shaft, said hub means comprising two parts, one of said parts being attached to said outer disc and the other of said parts being attached to said inner disc, coil spring means for frictionally holding said detachable outer disc assembled in said reel, said outer disc having means attached thereto and extending therefrom substantially to said inner disc to form cagelike means around said hub means upon which tape is adapted to be wound, said last mentioned means being positioned on said outer disc well away from said hub means, said spring means being substantially concentric with said shaft so that said outer disc may be removed from the remainder of the reel together with said cagelike means and the tape wound thereon by gripping said outer disc and pulling it away from the remainder of the reel substantially in the direction of the axis of said shaft.

5. A tape winder comprising a frame, a motor mounted on said frame, a shaft driven by said motor journaled in said frame, a reel mounted on said shaft, said reel comprising an outer plate and an inner plate, a hub member attached to said outer plate and a hub member attached to said inner plate and means engaging said hub members to hold said plates and said hub members assembled, a pivoted arm, a pin attached to the outer end of said arm, said pin having a tape engaging surface, tape retaining means having a coil spring frictionally engaging said pin, said pin being positioned so that tape riding thereover is guided to said reel.

6. A tape winder comprising a frame, a motor mounted on said frame, a shaft driven by said motor journaled in said frame, a reel mounted on said shaft, said reel comprising an outer plate and an inner plate, a hub member attached to said outer plate and a hub member attached to said inner plate and frictional means engaging said hub members to hold said plates and said hub members assembled, said first mentioned hub member extending through said second mentioned hub member, and means for holding said first mentioned hub member on said shaft when said outer plate and said second mentioned hub member are separated from the remainder of said reel,

7. A tape winder comprising a frame, a motor mounted on said frame, a shaft driven by said motor journaled in said frame, a reel mounted on said shaft, said reel comprising an outer plate and an inner plate, a hub member attached to said outer plate and a hub member attached to said inner plate, said hub members having outer diameters of substantially the same lengths, and frictional means comprising a coil spring engaging the outer cylindrical surfaces of said hub members to hold said plates and said hub members assembled, said first mentioned hub member extending through said second mentioned hub member, and means for holding said first mentioned hub member on said shaft when said outer plate and said second mentioned hub member are separated from the remainder of said reel.

8. A tape winder comprising a frame, a motor mounted on said frame, a shaft driven by said motor journaled in said frame, a reel mounted on said shaft, said reel comprising an outer plate and an inner plate, a hub member attached to said outer plate and a hub member attached to said inner plate and frictional means engaging said hub members to hold said plates and said hub members assembled, said first mentioned hub member extending through said second mentioned hub member, and means threaded into said shaft for holding said first mentioned hub memher on said shaft when said outer plate and said second mentioned hub member are separated from the remainder of said reel.

9. In a tape winder having a frame, a motor, a shaft journaled in said frame, a reel mounted on said shaft, an arm mounted on said frame and extending beyond said reel and having a tape engaging pin positioned substantially on the free end thereof, the improvement comprising in combination with said pin of means for retaining the tape on said pin, said means having a coil spring frictionally engaging said pin, said means also having a member with one end attached to said coil spring and being adapted to be positioned substantially parallel to said pin and spaced therefrom, said member also having an angularly disposed portion attached to the other end thereof for substantially overlying the free end of said pin.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,405,336 Sanders Jan. 31, 1922 1,886,323 Wernp Nov. 1, 1932 1,914,566 Haseltine June 20, 1933 2,700,513 Miles Jan. 25, 1955 FOREIGN PATENTS 275,248 Switzerland Aug. 1, 1951 

